The 8th Annual Capital Classic Middle School Basketball Tournament will be bigger and better this year.

Tournament Director Bill Ardito said the four-day event has expanded from 16 to 20 teams and features the best 12 boys teams and 8 girls teams from the entire state of Delaware.

"The top-seeded boys' team will be Providence Creek Academy from the Clayton area. They bring a tough squad to our event, while undefeated defending champion Bayard Middle from Wilmington will be the second-seeded team," he said.

The Wilmington area is also sending two new teams to the Classic, including Prestige Academy and P.S. DuPont. Ardito said these may be news teams, but they will bring talent and experience to the hardwood.

"Cape Henlopen's Mariner Middle is also a first time team, and at the moment is the only other undefeated team and will likely be the third-seeded team," he said.

The undefeated Milford Middle School will probably be the top-seed in the girls' division. At present, Milford has the most school bracket wins with five, while Dover Central Middle had four. Dover is the defending champion on the girls' side.

The Capital Classic takes place February 13-16 at Central Middle School in Dover. The teams will be divided into 5 brackets, with 3 boys and 3 girls per bracket, decided by the most-recent win-loss records and strength of schedules. All of the teams will play two games during the tournament.

According to Ardito, the Delaware State Cheerleaders/Dance Team will provide entertainment during the tournament. For additional information on the tournament, contact Bill Ardito at billardito@msn.com.